Baix Pallars – Estany de Montcortès, Hiking and Culture

Nature

The Estany de Montcortès is the only lake in the Pallars Sobirà comarca in the Pyrenees. Its origin is not glacial but karstic. The lake’s water comes from an underground spring. Its depth is approximately between 20 and 40 metres. The Estany de Montcortès is one of the most significant reserves for waterfowl in the Pyrenees.

Cap de la Muntanyeta is a peak in the wider area around Montcortès. La Capcera is also a peak in the wider area around Montcortès. Tuc de la Cometa is a peak in the wider area around Montcortès. Lo Tossal is also a peak in the wider area around Montcortès.

The landscape around Montcortès therefore combines the karstic lake with several named peaks in the wider regional area. For nature observation, the lake’s status as a significant waterfowl reserve in the Pyrenees is also relevant.

Hiking

The route to the Estany de Montcortès and through the Pla de Corts is of medium difficulty, and its suitability is linked to people who are accustomed to half-day hikes with changes in elevation.

The La Geganta Adormida route follows a partly heavily overgrown path alongside a dry-stone wall to Montcortès and reaches the church of Sant Martí de Montcortès in the town centre. From Sant Martí de Montcortès, the route follows the signs to the Estany de Montcortès. It runs along the paved road to the Collada de Sant Antoni and then descends to the lake on a path.

The route description therefore mentions both a section along a dry-stone wall and the paved road, followed by the descent to the lake. The named route extends from the town centre via the Collada de Sant Antoni to the Estany de Montcortès.

Culture

Sant Martí is the parish church of Montcortès and has an octagonal bell tower. As a simple church in the eclectic style, it was built towards the end of the 18th century. It has a single-nave interior with a barrel vault. The parish church of Sant Martí de Montcortès is mentioned in a papal bull from 1164 confirming the monastery’s ownership.

Esglesia de Sant Climent is a church in the wider regional area around Montcortès. Pilaret de Sant Urbà is also a church in the wider regional area around Montcortès.

Castell de Montcortès is presumably identified with the old building known as La Rectoria. This building stands on a hill in the middle of the settlement.

The Festa Major of Montcortès is celebrated for Sant Miquel at the end of September. On Friday, the festivities begin with a communal dinner in the village square. An evening dance is then held there.

The parish church thus combines the octagonal bell tower with a single-nave interior and a barrel vault. Its mention in the papal bull of 1164 supplements the architectural details with the confirmed ownership of the monastery.

To the overarching travel overview: Lleida.

More destinations

More places under the same destination:

Bescaran, Toloriu, Torrefarrera, El Vilosell, Cellers, Ribera de Montardit, Massoteres.

More destinations in Baix Pallars

More places for travel planning:

Gerri De La Sal.